Run Brother Ron romps

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Run Brother Ron ($2.60) was never seriously challenged as he scored a wire-to-wire, three-length victory over Younique Cat in the $53,160 Everett Nevin Alameda County Futurity on Sunday.

His victory made it two straight wins in the Cal-bred 2-year-old stakes for trainer Jeff Bonde, who won the race with the filly Sharoana last year. Run Brother Ron's time in the five-furlong race was 57.34 seconds.

The maiden Nevada Warrior was within a length of Run Brother Ron early. When he fell back, Run Brother Ron was all alone and so far in front that jockey Roberto Gonzalez wrapped up after looking at the race being shown on the infield TV screen.

"I didn't worry early because I knew it was a maiden that had missed some works. That's why I didn't want to ask too much right away," Gonzalez said. "I never used my whip. He changed leads right on cue. In the stretch, I looked at the screen and saw I was three or four in front and nobody was coming."

Bonde said, "Today, the colt was very professional. I have a lot of nice 2-year-olds, but he's the most progressed physically."

Run Brother Ron's entrymate, Deputy Bertrando, ran third. The entry created a minus show pool of $41,709 and minus place pool of $416.

The victory, worth $29,580, increased Run Brother Ron's career earnings to $65,957.